Water filters first came on the market in the mid-18th century. After more than two centuries on the market, they are still as essential today as they were back then. This is because people will always need clean water free from impurities. Even when your water filter seems fine, it may be time for a replacement. Of course, you may not know this if you’re unfamiliar with the signs of water filter damage or wear. The right water filter will last a long time. For instance, you can get high-quality water filters from Discount Water Filters. You can expect months of good service from these water filters with good maintenance procedures. However, even the very best of them will need replacement eventually.
Signs Your Water Filter Needs Replacement
Look out for the following things to indicate that your water filter may need to be replaced.
1)Strange Taste
This is one of the first things to indicate a possible issue with your water filter. However, it’s always advisable to seek the advice of a professional plumber. This is because several things could cause tap water to have a strange taste. For instance, chlorine is a chemical often used in the water purification process. Sometimes, when too much of it is inadvertently added, it can cause water to have an unpleasant taste. However, a strange water taste could mean your water filter has accumulated significant amounts of dirt and debris, thereby requiring replacement. Sometimes, water could have a metallic taste—an indication of a buildup of magnesium or calcium salts. This could also affect your water filter, thereby the need for a replacement.
2) Strange Smell
Sulfur and chlorine are the usual culprits. They can cause a strange smell in the water, making it unusable. Of course, you always have to explore the possibility of other issues causing this. For instance, old faucets may have significant areas of internal rust, leading to a bad smell. Either way, a plumber can help identify this issue and help you get a new water filter.
3) Floaty Bits
Sometimes, you may notice some tiny substances in your water. This could be the first sign of black molds, a potential health hazard if not handled quickly and effectively. This could mean there’s a mold colony somewhere, possibly in or around the water filter. A good start would be thoroughly cleaning the entire water unit, using effective disinfectants to flush out all the mold spores. This is necessary to ensure any new water filter installed is not quickly overrun by molds.
It’s always a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly after handling such mold-infested water filters before installing the new one.
4) Slippery Water
Water that feels like it has some soap in it usually indicates that your water filter is malfunctioning. A good way to notice this is to try rubbing the flowing water between your fingers. If it feels soapy, then your water filter may need replacement.
5) Significant Gallons of Water Used
The number of gallons of water used determines how long (or not) a water filter will remain effective. While most people only think of water filter longevity in months, the amount of water that goes through it is the real indicator of how long it will remain effective. As such, it might be a good idea to be mindful of the gallons of water used for those with many people in a household. This should make water filter replacement a more regular occurrence.
6) High Concentrations of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
TDS is the number of mineral substances, metals, and salts in a particular quantity of water. It is a good measure of how “hard” water is. A high TDS means a water filter works harder. This will, of course, lead to quick wear. Areas with water that has high concentrations of total dissolved solids will mean residents may need to replace water filters more often.
7) Low Water Pressure
A reverse osmosis system helps to filter out contaminants from the water. It usually comes with a gauge to measure pressure changes in water filtration. A good sign of water filter malfunction is when there is a drop in the pressure readings of the reverse osmosis system. It could mean the water filter is not doing its job properly.
All in all, any sign of inefficiency could mean a worn-out water filter that needs to be replaced.
